VA Diagnostic Code 5153Index finger, amputation of
Rated from 10% to 30% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 30%20% non-dominant
With metacarpal resection (more than one-half the bone lost)
- 20%20% non-dominant
Without metacarpal resection, at proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto
- 10%10% non-dominant
Through middle phalanx or at distal joint
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: The single finger amputation ratings are the only applicable ratings for amputations of whole or part of single fingers.
Index Finger Amputation (VA Diagnostic Code 5153)
Musculoskeletal System · Rated under 38 CFR § 4.71a
Understanding This Rating
Diagnostic Code 5153 covers the amputation of the index finger. Under VA rules, the assigned rating depends on how much of the finger (and, in some cases, the underlying hand bone) was lost and on which hand is affected.
An important note applies here: the single finger amputation ratings are the only applicable ratings for amputations of the whole or part of a single finger.
The VA also considers whether the affected hand is your dominant ("major") or non-dominant ("minor") extremity, which can change the percentage in some cases.
Available Rating Levels
| Rating (Dominant Hand) | Rating (Non-Dominant Hand) | What It Reflects |
|---|---|---|
| 30% | 20% | Amputation with metacarpal resection — more than one-half the bone lost |
| 20% | 20% | Amputation without metacarpal resection, at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto |
| 10% | 10% | Amputation through the middle phalanx or at the distal joint |
What the VA Looks For
When rating an index finger amputation, the VA reviews:
- The location of the amputation — for example, through the middle phalanx, at the distal joint, or at the proximal interphalangeal joint or above it.
- Whether there was metacarpal resection — specifically, whether more than one-half of the metacarpal bone was lost, which corresponds to the highest rating level.
- Which hand is affected — whether the amputation is on your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity.
This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 5153 under 38 CFR § 4.71a. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not predict or guarantee any specific rating outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5153. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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